I would like to remind the committee that Canada's airline originated from the Canadian federal government's 1936 creation of Trans-Canada Airlines, which began operating its first transcontinental flight routes in 1938. In 1965, Trans-Canada was renamed Air Canada, following government approval.
Following the 1980s deregulation of the Canadian airline market, the airline was privatized in 1988. In 2001, Air Canada acquired its largest rival, Canadian Airlines. In 2006, 34 million people flew Air Canada as the airline celebrated its 70th anniversary. Of those 34 million people, how many wished to formulate complaints on official languages services and how many would have liked to congratulate the airline? It is not up to us to say or decide, and I would argue, Mr. Chair, that we should allow the people to have the choice to do either.
Air Canada operates a fleet of Boeing 777, Boeing 767, and Airbus A330 wide-body jetliners on the long-haul routes. Air Canada also utilizes Airbus A320 family aircraft, including the A319, A320, and A321 variations, and Embraer E-170 and E-190 family aircraft on short-haul routes.
The carrier's operating divisions include Air Canada Cargo and Air Canada Jetz. Its subsidiary, Air Canada Vacations, also provides vacation packages to more than 90 destinations. Together with its regional partners, the airline operates, on average, more than 1,370 scheduled flights daily. These are impressive accomplishments, and Air Canada is a very important part of the lives of Canadians.
I think we have a responsibility as parliamentarians to act with all fairness and not just assume the negative. This motion asks us to assume that a company with the stature of Air Canada is not complying with federal laws, such as the Official Languages Act. It is, in my view, unfair and irresponsible for us to take that position, and I think we should consider a mechanism that balances out and allows for positive comments as well, Mr. Chair.